| Infertility is a growing problem worldwide. Currently, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is
widely performed to treat infertility. However, a high percentage of IVF cycles fails,
due to the poor developmental potential of the retrieved oocyte to generate viable
embryos. Fatty acid content of the follicular microenvironment can affect oocyte
maturation and the subsequent developmental competence. Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids are mainly used by follicle components as primary energy
sources whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a wide range of roles. A
large body of evidence supports the beneficial effects of n‐3 PUFAs in prevention,
treatment, and amelioration of some pathophysiological conditions including heart
diseases, cancer, diabetes, and psychological disorders. Nevertheless, current findings
regarding the effects of n‐3 PUFAs on reproductive outcomes in general and on
oocyte quality more specifically are inconsistent. This review attempts to provide a
comprehensive overview of potential molecular mechanisms by which n‐3 PUFAs
affect oocyte maturation and developmental competence, particularly in the setting
of IVF and thereby aims to elucidate the reasons behind current discrepancies around
this topic. |